Fencing Glossary - Dictionary of Fencing Terms Absence of blade: when the blades are not touching; opposite of engagement. Advance: a movement forward by step, cross, or balestra. Aids: the last three fingers of the sword hand. Analysis: reconstruction of the fencing phrase to determine priority of touches. Assault: friendly combat between two fencers. Attack: the initial offensive action made by extending the sword arm and continuously threatening the valid target of the opponent. Attack au Fer: an attack that is prepared by deflecting the opponent's blade, eg. beat, press, froissement. Backsword: an archaic, edged, unpointed sword used in prizefighting; also singlestick. Balestra: a forward hop or jump, typically followed by an attack such as a lunge or fleche. Bayonet: a type of electrical connector for foil and sabre. Beat: an attempt to knock the opponent's blade aside or out of line by using one's foible or middle against the opponent's foible. Baudry point: a safety collar placed around a live epee point to prevent dangerous penetration. Bind: an action in which the opponent's blade is forced into the diagonally opposite line.

Black Card: used to indicate the most serious offences in a fencing competition. The offending fencer is usually expelled from the event or tournament. Bout: an assault at which the score is kept. Broadsword: any sword intended for cutting instead of thrusting; sabre. Broken Time: a sudden change in the tempo of one fencer's actions, used to fool the opponent into responding at the wrong time. Button: the safety tip on the end of practice and sporting swords. Change of Engagement: engagement of the opponent's blade in the opposite line. Commanding the blade: grabbing the opponent's blade with the off-hand, illegal in sport fencing. Compound: also composed; an action executed in two or more movements; an attack or riposte incorporating one or more feints. Conversation: the back-and-forth play of the blades in a fencing match, composed of phrases (phrases d'armes) punctuated by gaps of no blade action. Counter-attack: an offensive action made against the right-of-way, or in response to the opponent's attack. Counter-disengage: a disengage in the opposite direction, to deceive the counter-parry. Counter-parry: a parry made in the opposite line to the attack; ie.

the defender first comes around to the opposite side of the opponent's blade. Counter-riposte: an attack that follows a parry of the opponent's riposte. Counter-time: an attack that responds to the opponent's counter-attack, typically a riposte following the parry of the counter-attack. Corps-a-corps: lit. "body-to-body"; physical contact between the two fencers during a bout, illegal in foil and sabre. Coule': also graze, glise', or glissade; an attack or feint that slides along the opponent's blade. Coup lance': a launched hit; an attack that starts before a stop in play but lands after. Valid for normal halts, but not valid at end of time. Coupe': also cut-over; an attack or deception that passes around the opponent's tip. Croise: also semi-bind; an action in which the opponent's blade is forced into the high or low line on the same side. Cross: an advance or retreat by crossing one leg over the other; also passe' avant (forward cross), passe' arriere (backwards cross). Cut: an attack made with a chopping motion of the blade, normally landing with the edge.

Deception: avoidance of an attempt to engage the blades; see disengage, coupe' Derobement: deception of the attack au fer or prise de fer. Direct: a simple attack or riposte that finishes in the same line in which it was formed, with no feints out of that line. Disengage: a circular movement of the blade that deceives the opponent's parry, removes the blades from engagement, or changes the line of engagement. Displacement: moving the target to avoid an attack; dodging. Double: in epee, two attacks that arrive within 40-50 ms of each other. Double-time: also "dui tempo"; parry-riposte as two distinct actions. Double': an attack or riposte that describes a complete circle around the opponent's blade, and finishes in the opposite line. Dry: also steam; fencing without electric judging aids. Engagement: when the blades are in contact with each other, eg. during a parry, attack au fer, prise de fer, or coule'. En Garde: also On Guard; the fencing position; the stance that fencers assume when preparing to fence. Envelopment: an engagement that sweeps the opponent's blade through a full circle.

Epee: a fencing weapon with triangular cross-section blade and a large bell guard; also a light duelling sword of similar design, popular in the mid-19th century; epee de terrain; duelling sword. False: an action that is intended to fail, but draw a predicted reaction from the opponent; also, the back edge of a sabre blade. Feint: an attack into one line with the intention of switching to another line before the attack is completed. Fencing Time: also temps d'escrime; the time required to complete a single, simple fencing action. FIE: Federation Internationale d'Escrime, the world governing body of fencing. Finta in tempo: lit. "feint in time"; a feint of counter-attack that draws a counter-time parry, which is decieved; a compound counter-attack. Fleche: lit. "arrow"; an attack in which the aggressor leaps off his leading foot, attempts to make the hit, and then passes the opponent at a run. Flick: a cut-like action that lands with the point, often involving some whip of the foible of the blade to "throw" the point around a block or other obstruction.

Florentine: an antiquated fencing style where a secondary weapon or other instrument is used in the off hand. Flying Parry or Riposte: a parry with a backwards glide and riposte by cut-over. Foible: the upper, weak part of the blade. Foil: a fencing weapon with rectangular cross-section blade and a small bell guard; any sword that has been buttoned to render it less dangerous for practice. Forte: the lower, strong part of the blade. French Grip: a traditional hilt with a slightly curved grip and a large pommel. Froissement: an attack that displaces the opponent's blade by a strong grazing action. Fuller: the groove that runs down a sword blade to reduce weight. Glide: see coule'. Guard: the metal cup or bow that protects the hand from being hit. Also, the defensive position assumed when not attacking. Hilt: the handle of a sword, consisting of guard, grip, and pommel. Homologated: certified for use in FIE competitions, eg. 800N clothing and maraging blades. In Quartata: a counter-attack made with a quarter turn to the inside, concealing the front but exposing the back.

In Time: at least one fencing time before the opposing action, especially with regards to a stop-hit. Indirect: a simple attack or riposte that finishes in the opposite line to which it was formed. Insistence: forcing an attack through the parry. Interception: a counter-attack that intercepts and checks an indirect attack or other disengagement. Invitation: a line that is intentionally left open to encourage the opponent to attack. Italian Grip: a traditional hilt with finger rings and crossbar. Judges: additional officials who assist the referee in detecting illegal or invalid actions, such as floor judges or hand judges. Jury: the 4 officials who watch for hits in a dry fencing bout. Kendo: Japanese fencing, with two-handed swords. Lame': a metallic vest/jacket used to detect valid touches in foil and sabre. Line: the main direction of an attack (eg., high/low, inside/outside), often equated to the parry that must be made to deflect the attack; also point in line. Lunge: an attack made by extending the rear leg and landing on the bent front leg. Mal-parry: also mal-pare'; a parry that fails to prevent the attack from landing.

Manipulators: the thumb and index finger of the sword hand. Maraging: a special steel used for making blades; said to be stronger and break more cleanly than conventional steels. Marker Points: an old method of detecting hits using inked points. Martingale: a strap that binds the grip to the wrist/forearm. Match: the aggregate of bouts between two fencing teams. Measure: the distance between the fencers. Middle: the middle third of the blade, between foible and forte. Moulinet: a whirling cut, executed from the wrist or elbow. Neuvieme: an unconventional parry (#9) sometimes described as blade behind the back, pointing down (a variant of octave), other times similar to elevated sixte. Octave: parry #8; blade down and to the outside, wrist supinated. Opposition: holding the opponent's blade in a non-threatening line; a time-hit; any attack or counter-attack with opposition. Parry: a block of the attack, made with the forte of one's own blade; also parade. Pass: an attack made with a cross; eg. fleche. Also, the act of moving past the opponent.

Passata-sotto: a lunge made by dropping one hand to the floor. Passe': an attack that passes the target without hitting; also a cross-step (see cross). Phrase: a set of related actions and reactions in a fencing conversation. Pineapple tip: a serrated epee point used prior to electric judging. Piste: the linear strip on which a fencing bout is fought; approx. 2m wide and 14m long. Pistol Grip: a modern, orthopaedic grip, shaped vaguely like a small pistol; varieties are known by names such as Belgian, German, Russian, and Visconti. Plaque': a point attack that lands flat. Plastron: a partial jacket worn for extra protection; typically a half-jacket worn under the main jacket on the weapon-arm side of the body. Point: a valid touch; the tip of the sword; the mechanical assembly that makes up the point of an electric weapon; an attack made with the point (ie. a thrust) Point in Line: also line; an extended arm and blade that threatens the opponent. Pommel: a fastener that attaches the grip to the blade.

Preparation: a non-threatening action intended to create the opening for an attack; the initial phase of an attack, before right-of-way is established. Presentation: offering one's blade for engagement by the opponent. Press: an attempt to push the opponent's blade aside or out of line; depending on the opponent's response, the press is followed by a direct or indirect attack. Prime: parry #1; blade down and to the inside, wrist pronated. Principle of Defence: the use of forte against foible when parrying. Priority: in sabre, the now-superceded rules that decide which fencer will be awarded the touch in the event that they both attack simultaneously; also used synonymously with right-of-way. Prise de Fer: also taking the blade; an engagement of the blades that forces the opponent's weapon into a new line. See: bind, croise, envelopment, opposition. Quarte: parry #4; blade up and to the inside, wrist supinated. Quinte: parry #5; blade up and to the inside, wrist pronated. In sabre, the blade is held above the head to protect from head cuts.

Rapier: a long, double-edged thrusting sword popular in the 16th-17th centuries. Red Card: used to indicate repeated minor rule infractions or a major rule infraction by one of the fencers; results in a point being given to the other fencer. Redoublement: a new action that follows an attack that missed or was parried; renewal of a failed attack in the opposite line; alternatively see Reprise. Referee: also director, president; the mediator of the fencing bout. Remise: immediate replacement of an attack that missed or was parried, without withdrawing the arm. Reprise: renewal of an attack that missed or was parried, after a return to en-garde; alternatively see Redoublement. Retreat: step back; opposite of advance. Ricasso: the portion of the tang between the grip and the blade, present on Italian hilts and most rapiers. Right-of-way: rules for awarding the point in the event of a double touch in foil or sabre. Riposte: an offensive action made immediately after a parry of the opponent's attack.

Sabre: a fencing weapon with a flat blade and knuckle guard, used with cutting or thrusting actions; a military sword popular in the 18th to 20th centuries; any cutting sword used by cavalry. Salle: a fencing hall or club. Salute: with the weapon, a customary acknowledgement of one's opponent and referee at the start and end of the bout. Schlager: German fraternity duelling sword, used with cuts to the face and no footwork. Second Intention: a false action used to draw a response from the opponent, which will open the opportunity for the intended action that follows, typically a counter-riposte. Seconde: parry #2; blade down and to the outside, wrist pronated. Septime: parry #7; blade down and to the inside, wrist supinated. Simple: executed in one movement; an attack or riposte that involves no feints. Simultaneous: in foil and sabre, two attacks for which the right-of-way is too close to determine. Single Stick: an archaic form of fencing with basket-hilted wooden sticks. Single-time: also "stesso tempo"; parry-riposte as a single action.

Sixte: parry #6; blade up and to the outside, wrist supinated. Small Sword: a light duelling sword popular in the 17th-18th centuries, precursor to the foil. Stop Hit: a counter-attack that hits; also a counter-attack whose touch is valid by virtue of its timing. Stop Cut: a stop-hit with the edge in sabre, typically to the cuff. Three Prong: a type of epee body wire/connector; also an old-fashioned tip that would snag clothing, to make it easier to detect hits in the pre-electric era. Thrown Point: a "flick". Thrust: an attack made by moving the sword parallel to its length and landing with the point. Tierce: parry #3; blade up and to the outside, wrist pronated. Time Hit: also time-thrust; old name for stop hit with opposition. Trompement: deception of the parry. Two Prong: a type of body-wire/connector, used in foil and sabre. Whip-over: in sabre, a touch that results from the foible of the blade whipping over the opponent's guard or blade when parried.

Whites: fencing clothing. Yellow Card: also advertissement, warning; used to indicate a minor rule infraction by one of the fencers. Footwork Training - Training video from the Tyshler Fencing School. Learn the basics of fencing footwork and use the training exercises to improve your footwork - the foundation of good fencing. Fencing.Net Newsletter Enter your email address if you would like to receive periodic training techniques, tips and tactics. Type: Liste Inverse anglaise Attack : Attaque . the initial offensive action made by extending the sword arm and continuously threatening the valid target of the opponent. Attack au Fer : Attaque au fer an attack that is prepared by deflecting the opponent's blade, eg. beat, froissement, pressure. a forward hop or jump, typically followed by an attack such as a lunge or fleche. Bayonet : Connecteur à baïonnette Beat : Battement an attempt to knock the opponent's blade aside or out of line by using one's foible or middle against the opponent's foible. an action in which the opponent's blade is forced into the diagonally opposite line. Black Card : Carton noir used to indicate the most serious offences in a fencing competition.

The offending fencer is usually expelled from the event or tournament. Feint : Feinte attacking into one line with the intention of switching to another line before the attack is completed. also temps d'escrime; the time required to complete a single, simple fencing action. FIE : FIE (Fédération Internationale d'Escrime) Federation Internationale d'Escrime, the world governing body of fencing. Finta in tempo : Finta in tempo lit. "feint in time"; a feint of counter-attack that draws a counter-time parry, which is decieved. Fleche : Flèche lit. "arrow"; an attack in which the aggressor leaps off his leading foot, attempts to make the hit, and then passes the opponent at a run. Flick : Coup lancé, "Bingo" a cut-like action that lands with the point, often involving some whip of the foible of the blade to "throw" the point around a block or other obstruction. Florentine : Combat à la florentine a fencing style where a secondary weapon or other instrument is used in the off hand.

Flying Parry or Riposte : Definitions of Fencing Terms Jury: the 4 officials who watch for hits in a dry fencing bout. Lamé ( Plastron électrique): a metallic vest/jacket used to detect valid touches in foil and sabre. Lunge (Fente): an attack made by extending the rear leg and landing on the bent front leg. M Manipulators: the thumb and index finger of the sword hand. Maraging: a special steel used for making blades; said to be stronger and break more cleanly than conventional steels. Marker Points: an old method of detecting hits using inked points. Martingale: a strap that binds the grip to the wrist/forearm. Match: the aggregate of bouts between two fencing teams. Measure: the distance between the fencers. Middle: the middle third of the blade, between foible and forte. N&O Neuvieme: an unconventional parry (#9) sometimes described as blade behind the back, pointing down (a variant of octave), other times similar to elevated sixte. Octave: parry #8; blade down and to the outside, wrist supinated.

Opposition: holding the opponent's blade in a non-threatening line; a time- hit; any attack or counter-attack with opposition. P Pass (Dépassement): an attack made with a cross; eg. fleche, "Russian lunge". Also, the act of moving past the opponent. Passata-sotto: a lunge made by dropping one hand to the floor. Passé: an attack that passes the target without hitting; also a cross- step (see cross). Phrase: a set of related actions and reactions in a fencing conversation. Piste: the linear strip on which a fencing bout is fought; approx. 2m wide and 14m long. Pistol Grip: a modern, orthopedic grip, shaped vaguely like a small pistol; varieties are known by names such as Belgian, German, Russian, and Visconti. Plaqué: a point attack that lands flat. Plastron: a partial jacket worn for extra protection; typically a half- jacket worn under the main jacket on the weapon-arm side of the body. Point (Touche): a valid touch; the tip of the sword; an attack made with the point (ie.

a thrust) Point in Line (Menace line): an extended arm and blade that threatens the opponent. Pommel: a fastener that attaches the grip to the blade. Presentation: offering one's blade for engagement by the opponent. Press (Presser vs. pressionn): attempt to push the opponent's blade aside or out of line; depending on the opponent's response, the press is followed by a direct or indirect attack. Prime: parry #1; blade down and to the inside, wrist pronated. Principle of Defense: the use of forte against foible when parrying. Priority: in sabre, the now-superceded rules that decide which fencer will be awarded the touch in the event that they both attack simultaneously; also used synonymously with right-of-way. Q&R Quarte: parry #4; blade up and to the inside, wrist supinated. Quinte: parry #5; blade up and to the inside, wrist pronated. In sabre, the blade is held above the head to protect from head cuts. Rapier: a long, double-edged thrusting sword popular in the 16th-17th centuries.

Red Card (Carton rouge): used to indicate repeated minor rule infractions or a major rule infraction by one of the fencers; results in a point being given to the other fencer. Referee (Arbitre, Président): the director, president; the mediator of the fencing bout. Remise: immediate replacement of an attack that missed or was parried, without withdrawing the arm. Reprise: renewal of an attack that missed or was parried, after a return to en-garde Retreat (Retraite): step back; opposite of advance. Right-of-way (Raison, Priorité): rules for awarding the point in the event of a double touch in foil or sabre. Riposte: an attack made immediately after a parry of the opponent's attack. S Sabre: a fencing weapon with a flat blade and knuckle guard, used with cutting or thrusting actions; a military sword popular in the 18th to 20th centuries; any cutting sword used by cavalry. Salle (Salle d'armes): a fencing hall or club. Salute: with the weapon, a customary acknowledgement of one's opponent and referee at the start and end of the bout.

Second Intention: a false action used to draw a response from the opponent, which will open the opportunity for the intended action that follows, typically a counter-riposte. Seconde: parry #2; blade down and to the outside, wrist pronated. Septime: parry #7; blade down and to the inside, wrist supinated. Simple: an attack (or riposte) that involves no feints. Simultaneous: in foil and sabre, two attacks for which the right-of- way is too close to determine. Sixte: parry #6; blade up and to the outside, wrist supinated. Stop Hit: a counter-attack that hits; also a counter-attack whose touch is valid by virtue of it's timing. Stop Cut: a stop-hit with the edge in sabre, typically to the cuff. T~Z Thrown Point (Coup lance): a "flick" Thrust (coup d'estoc): an attack made by moving the sword parallel to its length and landing with the point. Tierce: parry #3; blade up and to the outside, wrist pronated. Trompement: deception of the parry.

Whip-over (Coup fouetté): in sabre, a touch that results from the foible of the blade whipping over the opponent's guard or blade when parried. Whites (Tenue): fencing clothing. Yellow Card (Carton jaune): warning; used to indicate a minor rule infraction by one of the fencers. Fitness Fencing Glossary of Terms An archaic, edged, unpointed sword used in prizefighting; also singlestick.. Balestra A forward hop or jump, typically followed by an attack such as a lunge or fleche. Bayonet A type of electrical connector for foil and sabre. Beat An attempt to knock the opponent's blade aside or out of line by using one's foible or middle against the opponent's foible. Baudry point A safety collar placed around a live epee point to pre= vent dangerous penetration. Bind An action in which the opponent's blade is forced into the diagonally opposite line. Black Card Used to indicate the most serious offences in a fencing competition. The offending fencer is usually expelled from the event or tournament. Bout An assault at which the score is kept. Broadsword Any sword intended for cutting instead of thrusting; sabre.

Broken Time A sudden change in the tempo of one fencer's actions, u= sed to fool the opponent into responding at the wrong time. Button Engagement of the opponent's blade in the opposite line. Commanding the blade Grabbing the opponent's blade with the off-hand, illegal in sport fencing. Compound Also composed; an action executed in two or more movements; an attack or riposte incorporating one or more feints. Conversation The back-and-forth play of the blades in a fencing match, composed of phrases (phrases d'armes) punctuated by gaps of no blade action. Counter-attack An offensive action made against the right-of-way, or in response to the opponent's attack. Counter-disengage a disengage in the opposite direction, to deceive the counter-parry. Counter-parry A parry made in the opposite line to the attack; ie. the defender first comes around to the opposite side of the opponent's blade. Counter-riposte An attack that follows a parry of the opponent's riposte. Counter-time An attack that responds to the opponent's counter-attack, typically a riposte following the parry of the counter-attack. Corps-a-corps: Lit.

"body-to-body"; physical contact between the two fencers during a bout, illegal in foil and sabre. Coule' Also graze, glise', or glissade; an attack or feint that slides along the opponent's blade. Coup lance': A launched hit; an attack that starts before a stop in play but lands after. Valid for normal halts, but not valid at end of time. Coupe': Also cut-over; an attack or deception that passes around the opponent's tip. Croise: Also semi-bind; an action in which the opponent's blade is forced into the high or low line on the same side. Cross: An advance or retreat by crossing one leg over the other; also passe' avant (forward cross), passe' arriere (backwards cross). Cut: Avoidance of an attempt to engage the blades; seedisengage, coupe' Derobement: Deception of the attack au fer or prise de fer. Direct: A simple attack or riposte that finishes in the same line in which it was formed, with no feints out of that line.

Disengage: A circular movement of the blade that deceives the opponent's parry, removes the blades from engagement, or changes the line of engagement. Displacement: Moving the target to avoid an attack; dodging. Double: In epee, two attacks that arrive within 40-50 ms of eachother. Double-time: Also "dui tempo"; parry-riposte as two distinct actions. Double': An attack or riposte that describes a complete circle around the opponent's blade, and finishes in the opposite line. Dry: - E - Engagement: When the blades are in contact with each other, eg. during a parry, attack au fer, prise de fer, or coule'. En Garde: Also On Guard; the fencing position; the stance that fencers assume when preparing to fence. Envelopment: An engagement that sweeps the opponent's blade through a full circle. Epee: A fencing weapon with triangular cross-section blade and a large bell guard; also a light duelling sword of similar design, popular in the mid-19th century; epee de terrain; duelling sword.

- F - False: An action that is intended to fail, but draw a predicted reaction from the opponent; also, the back edge of a sabre blade. Feint: An attack into one line with the intention of switching to another line before the attack is completed. Fencing Time: Also temps d'escrime; the time required to complete a single, simple fencing action. FIE: Federation Internationale d'Escrime, the world governing body of fencing. Finta in tempo: lit. "feint in time"; a feint of counter-attack that draws a counter-time parry, which is decieved; a compound counter-attack. Fleche: lit. "arrow"; an attack in which the aggressor leaps off his leading foot, attempts to make the hit, and then passes the opponent at a run. Flick: A cut-like action that lands with the point, often involving some whip of the foible of the blade to "throw" the point around a block or other obstruction. Florentine: An antiquated fencing style where a secondary weapon or other instrument is used in the off hand. Flying Parry or Riposte: A parry with a backwards glide and riposte by cut-over.

Foible: The upper, weak part of the blade. Foil: A fencing weapon with rectangular cross-section blade and a small bell guard; any sword that has been buttoned to render it less dangerous for practice. Forte: The lower, strong part of the blade. French Grip: A traditional hilt with a slightly curved grip and a large pommel. Froissement: An attack that displaces the opponent's blade by a strong grazing action. Fuller: In Quartata: A counter-attack made with a quarter turn to the inside, concealing the front but exposing the back. In Time: At least one fencing time before the opposing action, especially with regards to a stop-hit. Indirect: A simple attack or riposte that finishes in the opposite line to which it was formed. Insistence: Forcing an attack through the parry. Interception: A counter-attack that intercepts and checks anindirect attack or other disengagement. Invitation: A line that is intentionally left open to encourage the opponent to attack. Italian Grip: a traditional hilt with finger rings and crossbar. - J - Judges: Additional officials who assist the referee in detecting illegal or invalid actions, such as floor judges or hand judges.

Jury: A block of the attack, made with the forte of one's own blade; also parade. Pass: An attack made with a cross; eg. fleche. Also, the act of moving past the opponent. Passata-sotto: A lunge made by dropping one hand to the floor. Passe': An attack that passes the target without hitting; also a cross-step (see cross). Phrase: A set of related actions and reactions in a fencing conversation. Pineapple tip: A serrated epee point used prior to electric judging. Piste: The linear strip on which a fencing bout is fought; approx. 2m wide and 14m long. Pistol Grip: A modern, orthopaedic grip, shaped vaguely like a small pistol; varieties are known by names such as Belgian, German, Russian, and Visconti. Plaque': A point attack that lands flat. Plastron: A partial jacket worn for extra protection; typically a half-jacket worn under the main jacket on the weapon-arm side of the body. Point: A valid touch; the tip of the sword; the mechanical assembly that makes up the point of an electric weapon; an attack made with the point (ie.

a thrust) Point in Line: Also line; an extended arm and blade that threatens the opponent. Pommel: A fastener that attaches the grip to the blade. Preparation: A non-threatening action intended to create the opening for an attack; the initial phase of an attack, before right-of-way is established. Presentation: Offering one's blade for engagement by the opponent. Press: An attempt to push the opponent's blade aside or out of line; depending on the opponent's response, the press is followed by a direct or indirect attack. Prime: Parry #1; blade down and to the inside, wrist pronated. Principle of Defence: The use of forte against foible when parrying. Priority: In sabre, the now-superceded rules that decide which fencer will be awarded the touch in the event that they both attack simultaneously; also used synonymously with right-of-way. Prise de Fer: Also taking the blade; an engagement of the blades that forces the opponent's weapon into a new line. See: bind, croise, envelopment, opposition. A long, double-edged thrusting sword popular in the 16th-17th centuries.

Red Card: Used to indicate repeated minor rule infractions or a major rule infraction by one of the fencers; results in a point being given to the other fencer. Redoublement: A new action that follows an attack that missed or was parried; renewal of a failed attack in the opposite line; alternatively see Reprise. Referee: Also director, president; the mediator of the fencing bout. Remise: Immediate replacement of an attack that missed or was parried, without withdrawing the arm. Reprise: Renewal of an attack that missed or was parried, after a return to en-garde; alternatively see Redoublement. Retreat: Step back; opposite of advance. Ricasso: The portion of the tang between the grip and the blade, present on Italian hilts and most rapiers. Right-of-way: Rules for awarding the point in the event of a double touch in foil or sabre. Riposte: - S - Sabre: A fencing weapon with a flat blade and knuckle guard, used with cutting or thrusting actions; a military sword popular in the 18th to 20th centuries; any cutting sword used by cavalry. Salle: A fencing hall or club.

Salute: With the weapon, a customary acknowledgement of one's opponent and referee at the start and end of the bout. Schlager: German fraternity duelling sword, used with cuts to the face and no footwork. Second Intention: A false action used to draw a response from the opponent, which will open the opportunity for the intended action that follows, typically a counter-riposte. Seconde: Parry #2; blade down and to the outside, wrist pronated. Septime: Parry #7; blade down and to the inside, wrist supinated. Simple: Executed in one movement; an attack or riposte that involves no feints. Simultaneous: In foil and sabre, two attacks for which the right-of-way is too close to determine. Single Stick: An archaic form of fencing with basket-hilted wooden sticks. Single-time: Also "stesso tempo"; parry-riposte as a single action. Sixte: Parry #6; blade up and to the outside, wrist supinated. Small Sword: A light duelling sword popular in the 17th-18th centuries, precursor to the foil.

Stop Hit: A counter-attack that hits; also a counter-attack whose touch is valid by virtue of it's timing. Stop Cut: British Fencing the last three fingers of the sword hand Analysis the process of describing actions occurring in a fight, usually a phrase preceding a hit Angulation creating an angle between the weapon and the sword arm by flexing the wrist and pronating or supinating the sword hand Annulment of hit a valid hit which is disallowed because of an infringement of the rules or a technical fault Appel beating the ground with the ball of the foot, either as a 'front foot' or 'rear foot' appel Assault friendly combat between two fencers Attack an initial offensive action made by extending the sword arm and continuously threatening the opponent's target Avoidance ducking or moving sideways to avoid being hit Back edgethe edge of a sabre blade opposite to that of the cutting edge Balestra a short, sharp jump forwards; usually used as a preparation.

Barrage a fight-off to determine a result in the event of a tie Beat crisp striking movement of the opponent's blade creating a deflection, or obtaining a reaction; used as a preparation Bib a soft, padded attachment to the lower part of the mask to protect the neck and throat Bind taking of the foible of the opposing blade diagonally from high to low line, and vice versa Blade the main component of a sword on which the hilt is mounted Body wire wire worn under a fencer's clothing to connect the sword terminal to the retractable spool cable, when using the electrical apparatus Bout a fight for a specific number of hits Breaking ground stepping back Breeches white, knee-length trousers made of robust material; side fastening must be on the non-sword-arm side, and legs must have fastenings below the knees Broken time when a pause is introduced into an action which is normally performed in one movement Brutality actions which are performed with an unacceptable level of force or violence which causes discomfort to the opponent Button soft covering over a non-electric foil or epee point Cadence the rhythm in which a sequence of movements is made Ceding parry a parry formed by giving way to an opponent who is taking the blade Change beat a beat made

 after passing under or over the opponent's blade Change of engagement re-engagement of the opponent's blade on the opposite side by passing under or over it Chest protectors shields the breast, sternum and ribs from strikes when fencing Circular parry deflection of the opponent's attacking blade by making a circle with the sword point Close quarters when two fencers are close together but can still wield their weapons Competition aggregate of individual bouts or team matches required to determine a winner Compound actions two or more single actions performed together as one continuous action Compound attack an attack comprising one or more feints Compound prises de fer two or more consecutive takings of the blade, alike or different, with no loss of blade contact Compound riposte riposte comprising one or more feints Conventions the rules governing the method of fencing for each weapon Coquille bell-shaped guard of a foil or epee Corps a corps bodily contact between the fencers in a bout Coule the action of extending the sword arm and grazing lightly down the opponent's blade, maintaining contact throughout Counter attack the offensive action made while avoiding, or closing the line against, an opponent's attack Counter-disengagement an indirect action which deceives a change of engagement Counter-offensive action a riposte following the successful parry of the opponent

's riposte or counter-riposte Counter-tiime an action made by the attacker into a counter attack which is provoked by the opponent Coupe see cut-over Croise the taking of the foible of the opposing blade from high to low line, and vice versa, on the same side as the engagement Crosse grip a moulded grip with finger protrusions, used on foils and epees Cut a hit at sabre made by striking with the edge of the blade Cut-over (coupe) an indirect action made by passing the blade over the opponent's point Defence not being hit by the opponent's offensive actions, either by parrying, avoiding, or moving out of distance Delayed actions made after a pause; usually attacks or ripostes Derobement evasion of the opponent's attempt to beat or take the blade while the sword arm is straight and the point is threatening the target Detachment when both blades break contact Development extension of the sword arm accompanied by the lunge Diagonal parry deflecting the opponent's attacking blade by moving from a high line guard to a low line guard on the opposite side and vice versa Direct actions made without passing the blade under or over the opponent's blade Direct elimination method of competition organisation where winners are promoted to the following rounds

 and losers are eliminated after one fight Disciplinary code by taking part in a fencing competition, fencers 'pledge their honour' to observe the rules for competitions and the decisions of judges and to be respectful towards the president and the members of the jury Disengagement indirect action made by passing the blade under or over the opponent's blade Displacement turning or ducking to remove the target area from its normal position, resulting in the non-valid target being substituted for the valid target Disqualification to be eliminated from a competition due to cheating or bad behavior, or by default, eg late arrival Double a compound attack which deceives the opponent's circular parry Double action when both fencers choose exactly the same moment to make an offensive action Double defeat in epee only; after the time has expired, if both competitors have received the same number of hits (or neither has scored a hit), they are counted as both having received the maximum number of hits being fought for, and a defeat is scored against each, except in direct elimination where the fight goes on without limitation of time until there is a result Double hits in epee only, when both competitors register a hit on each other simultaneously, the difference of time between the two hits being less than 1/25 of a second

 Double prises de fer loss of contact between the first and second prise de fer Draw seeding of fencers to determine the bouts in a competition Duration of bout actual fencing time allowed during a bout, ie a stop clock is started at the beginning of a bout, stopped each time the president halts the fencers and started again when the bout is restarted Earthing of guard guards of electric weapons must be earthed correctly so that weapon hits do not register on them Earthing of piste when using electrical equipment, metal pistes must be correctly earthed so that hits do not register on them Elbow guard a pad worn on the fencer's sword-arm elbow for protection Electrical apparatus an electric box with red and green lights to register valid hits at foil, epee and sabre and white lights to register non-valid hits at foil.

The apparatus is mounted centrally, adjacent to the piste and connected by floor leads to spools with retractable cables placed at both ends of the piste, to which the fencers connect their body wires Electric weapons foils, epees and sabres suitable for use with electrical apparatus Engagement when both blades are in contact Envelopment the taking of the foible of the opponent's blade by making a complete circle and maintaining continual contact throughout Feint threatening movement of the blade made with the intention of provoking a parry or similar response Fencing Line when fencers are fencing each other it should be possible to draw a theoretical straight line running through both leading feet and rear heels Flank the side of the trunk of body on the sword-arm side Floor judges two judges who watch for floor hits when electric epee is used without a metal piste Foible the flexible half of the blade further away from the hilt Forte the half of the blade nearer to the hilt Froissement deflecting the opponent's blade by opposition of 'forte to foible' while blades are engaged Guard (of weapon) the part of the hilt to protect the sword hand Guards fencing positions - see prime, seconde, tierce, quarte, quinte, sixte, se

ptime, octave High line the position of the target above a theoretical horizontal line mid-way through a fencer's trunk Hilt the assembled parts of the sword excluding the blade, ie the guard, pad, grip and pommel Hit:to strike the opponent with the point of the sword clearly and distinctly and with character of penetration.

A cut with a sabre Indicators a system used in competition to determine a fencer's seeding after the first rounds.

The first indicator is expressed as a ratio of the number of victories and the number of fights and the second indicator is the number of hits scored minus the number of hits received Indirect an offensive action made by first passing the blade under or over the opponent's blade Lines theoretical divisions of the target, corresponding to fencing guards Low lines position of the target below a theoretical horizontal line mid-way through a fencer's trunk Lunge a method of getting closer to an opponent with acceleration to make an attack and while maintaining balance and making it possible for a rapid recovery to On Guard Manipulators the index finger and thumb of the sword hand Martingale the loop of tape or leather attached to the grip and held to prevent a non-electric foil from flying out of the hand in the event of being disarmed Metallic piste electrically-conductive material covering the piste in order that hits on the floor do not register on the electrical apparatus Octave low line, semi-supinated guard on the sword-arm side On Guard the stance adopted in fencing One-two attack a compound attack which deceives the opponent's simple parry 'Open eyes' starting a movement with no prior knowledge of how it will finish, relying on reflexes to adjust and make the correct ending Opposition blade movement maintaining constant contact with

 the opponent's blade Orthopaedic grip general term for moulded grips of various designs used on foils and epees Parry defensive action to deflect an opponent's attack by opposing 'forte to opponent's foible' Part-whole the teaching of a movement in parts, ie isolating the parts of the movement demanding most skill and practising them in isolation; then putting the parts together to make a whole movement Patinando a step forwards with an appel from the rear foot at the same time as the front foot lands Phrase a sequence of fencing movements performed without a break Piste the field of play on which a bout takes place Plastron a half-jacket with no underarm seam, worn for extra protection on the sword arm under the fencing jacket; also a padded over-jacket worn by a fencing coach when giving individual training Pommel a metal cap screwed to the end of the blade which locks the parts of the weapon together and provides a counter-balance to the blade Pool (poule) the grouping of fencers or teams in a competition Preparation of attack the movement of blade or foot to obtain the best position from which to make an attack Prime high line, pronated guard on the non-sword-arm side Principle of defence the execution of a

 parry by the defencer's forte opposing the attacking foible, ie 'opposition of forte to foible' Priority the right of way gained by the fencer at foil and sabre by extending the sword arm and continually threatening the opponent's target Prises de fer (takings of the blade) see bind, croise, envelopment actions made with the sword point continually moving towards the opponent's target Pronation the position of the sword hand with the knuckles uppermost Quarte high line, semi-supinated guard on the non-sword-arm side Quinte low line, pronated guard on the non-sword-arm side at foil and epee; and a high guard at sabre to protect the head Rassemblement the bringing of both feet together, either forwards or backwards, so that the heels are touching with the feet at right angles and the body in an upright position Recovery the return to the On guard position Redoublement the renewal of an action after being parried by replacing the point on the target in a different line to the original action Remise the renewal of an action after being parried by replacing the point on the target in the line of the original action Repechage the competition formula which gives losers of a direct elimination bout a

 second chance to stay in the competition Reprise the renewal of an action made with a lunge by first returning to guard forwards or backwards Riposte an offensive action following a successful parry of an attack Seconde low line, pronated guard on the sword-arm side Septime low line, semi-supinated guard on the non-sword-arm side Sixte high line, semi-supinated guard on the sword-arm side Successive parries two or more consecutive parries made to defend against compound attacks Supination the position of the sword hand with the finger-nail uppermost Tang the part of the blade on which the hilt is mounted Tierce 3.9 Glossary of terms: 3.9 Glossary of terms: This article is from the Fencing FAQ , by Morgan Burke with numerous contributions by others.

3.9 Glossary of terms: Not all terms have universal definitions. The meanings of some terms will vary between schools or periods. If any bias exists in the following glossary, it is towards the official FIE definitions first, and traditional French school definitions next. Note that only a few of these terms are rigidly defined for use by referees in Articles t.2 to t.10 of the Rules of Competition. Absence of blade: when the blades are not touching; opposite of engagement. Advance: a movement forward by step, cross, or balestra. Aids: the last three fingers of the sword hand. Analysis: reconstruction of the fencing phrase to determine priority of touches. Assault: friendly combat between two fencers. Attack: the initial offensive action made by extending the sword arm and continuously threatening the valid target of the opponent. Attack au Fer: an attack that is prepared by deflecting the opponent's blade, eg. beat, press, froissement. Backsword: an archaic, edged, unpointed sword used in prizefighting (also singlestick); a single-edged military sword. Balestra: a forward hop or jump, typically followed by an attack such as a lunge or fleche.

Bayonet: a type of electrical connector for foil and sabre. Beat: an attempt to knock the opponent's blade aside or out of line by using one's foible or middle against the opponent's foible. Baudry point: a safety collar placed around a live epee point to prevent dangerous penetration. Bind: an action in which the opponent's blade is forced into the diagonally opposite line. Black Card: used to indicate the most serious offences in a fencing competition. The offending fencer is usually expelled from the event or tournament. Blocking: electronic suppression of hits. Bout: an assault at which the score is kept. Broadsword: any later sword intended for cutting over thrusting; sabre. Broken Time: a sudden change or hesitation in the tempo of one fencer's actions, used to fool the opponent into responding at the wrong time. Button: the safety tip on the end of practice and sporting swords. Change of Engagement: engagement of the opponent's blade in the opposite line. Commanding the blade: grabbing the opponent's blade with the off-hand, illegal in sport fencing. Compound: also composed; an action executed in two or more movements; an attack or riposte incorporating one or more feints.

Conversation: the back-and-forth play of the blades in a fencing match, composed of phrases (phrases d'armes) punctuated by gaps of no blade action. Counter-attack: an offensive action made against the right-of-way, or in response to the opponent's attack. Counter-disengage: a disengage in the opposite direction, to deceive the counter-parry. Counter-parry: a parry made in the opposite line to the attack; ie. the defender first comes around to the opposite side of the opponent's blade. Counter-riposte: an attack that follows a parry of the opponent's riposte. Counter-time: an attack that responds to the opponent's counter-attack, typically a riposte following the parry of the counter-attack. Corps-a-corps: lit. "body-to-body"; physical contact between the two fencers during a bout, illegal in foil and sabre. Coule': also graze, glise', or glissade; an attack or feint that slides along the opponent's blade. Coup lance': a launched hit; an attack that starts before a stop in play but lands after. Valid for normal halts, but not valid at end of time.

Coupe': also cut-over; an attack or deception that passes around the opponent's tip. Croise: also semi-bind; an action in which the opponent's blade is forced into the high or low line on the same side. Cross: an advance or retreat by crossing one leg over the other; also passe' avant (forward cross), passe' arriere (backwards cross). Cut: an attack made with a chopping motion of the blade, normally landing with the edge. Deception: avoidance of an attempt to engage the blades; see disengage, coupe' Defensive Action: an action made to avoid being touched; parry. Delayed: not immediate, following a hesitation. Derobement: deception of the attack au fer or prise de fer. Detached: a riposte executed without blade contact. Direct: a simple attack or riposte that finishes in the same line in which it was formed, with no feints out of that line. Disengage: a circular movement of the blade that deceives the opponent's parry, removes the blades from engagement, or changes the line of engagement. Displacement: moving the target to avoid an attack; dodging.

Double: in epee, two attacks that arrive within 40-50 ms of each other. Double-time: also "dui tempo"; parry-riposte as two distinct actions. Double': an attack or riposte that describes a complete circle around the opponent's blade, and finishes in the opposite line. Dry: also steam; fencing without electric judging aids. Engagement: when the blades are in contact with each other, eg. during a parry, attack au fer, prise de fer, or coule'. Envelopment: an engagement that sweeps the opponent's blade through a full circle. Epee: a fencing weapon with triangular cross-section blade and a large bell guard; also a light duelling sword of similar design, popular in the mid-19th century; epee de terrain; duelling sword. False: an action that is intended to fail, but draw a predicted reaction from the opponent; also, the back edge of a sabre blade. Feint: an attack into one line with the intention of switching to another line before the attack is completed. Fencing Time: also temps d'escrime; the time required to complete a single, simple fencing action.

FIE: Federation Internationale d'Escrime, the world governing body of fencing. Finta in tempo: lit. "feint in time"; a feint of counter-attack that draws a counter-time parry, which is decieved; a compound counter-attack. Fleche: lit. "arrow"; an attack in which the aggressor leaps off his leading foot, attempts to make the hit, and then passes the opponent at a run. Flick: a cut-like action that lands with the point, often involving some whip of the foible of the blade to "throw" the point around a block or other obstruction. Florentine: an antiquated fencing style where a secondary weapon or other instrument is used in the off hand. Flying Parry or Riposte: a parry with a backwards glide and riposte by cut-over. Foible: the upper, weak part of the blade. Foil: a fencing weapon with rectangular cross-section blade and a small bell guard; any sword that has been buttoned to render it less dangerous for practice. Forte: the lower, strong part of the blade. French Grip: a traditional hilt with a slightly curved grip and a large pommel.

Froissement: an attack that displaces the opponent's blade by a strong grazing action. Fuller: the groove that runs down a sword blade to reduce weight. Glide: see coule'. Guard: the metal cup or bow that protects the hand from being hit. Also, the defensive position assumed when not attacking. Hilt: the handle of a sword, consisting of guard, grip, and pommel. Homologated: certified for use in FIE competitions, eg. 800N clothing and maraging blades. Immediate: without any perceived hesitation between actions. In Line: point in line. In Quartata: a counter-attack made with a quarter turn to the inside, concealing the front but exposing the back. In Time: at least one fencing time before the opposing action, especially with regards to a stop-hit. Indirect: a simple attack or riposte that finishes in the opposite line to which it was formed. Insistence: forcing an attack through the parry. Interception: a counter-attack that intercepts and checks an indirect attack or other disengagement. Invitation: a line that is intentionally left open to encourage the opponent to attack.

Italian Grip: a traditional hilt with finger rings and crossbar. Judges: additional officials who assist the referee in detecting illegal or invalid actions, such as floor judges or hand judges. Jury: the 4 officials who watch for hits in a dry fencing bout. Kendo: Japanese fencing, with two-handed swords. Lame': a metallic vest/jacket used to detect valid touches in foil and sabre. Line: the main direction of an attack (eg., high/low, inside/outside), often equated to the parry that must be made to deflect the attack; also point in line. Lunge: an attack made by extending the rear leg and landing on the bent front leg. Mal-parry: also mal-pare'; a parry that fails to prevent the attack from landing. Manipulators: the thumb and index finger of the sword hand. Maraging: a special steel used for making blades; said to be stronger and break more cleanly than conventional steels. Marker Points: an old method of detecting hits using inked points. Martingale: a strap that binds the grip to the wrist/forearm. Match: the aggregate of bouts between two fencing teams. Measure: the distance between the fencers.

Mensur: German fraternity duel. Middle: the middle third of the blade, between foible and forte, sometimes held to be part of the foible. Moulinet: a whirling cut, executed from the wrist or elbow. Neuvieme: an unconventional parry (#9) sometimes described as blade behind the back, pointing down (a variant of octave), other times similar to elevated sixte. Octave: parry #8; blade down and to the outside, wrist supinated. Offensive Action: an action in which the fencer attempts to touch the opponent. Offensive-defensive Action: an action that simultaneously attempts to touch the opponent and avoid the opponents touch. On Guard: also En Garde; the fencing position; the stance that fencers assume when preparing to fence. Opposition: holding the opponent's blade in a non-threatening line; a time-hit; any attack or counter-attack with opposition. Parry: a block of the attack, made with the forte of one's own blade; also parade. Pass: an attack made with a cross; eg. fleche. Also, the act of moving past the opponent.

Passata-sotto: a lunge made by dropping one hand to the floor. Passe': an attack that passes the target without hitting; also a cross-step (see cross). Phrase: a set of related actions and reactions in a fencing conversation. Pineapple tip: a serrated epee point used prior to electric judging. Piste: the linear strip on which a fencing bout is fought; approx. 2m wide and 14m long. Pistol Grip: a modern, orthopaedic grip, shaped vaguely like a small pistol; varieties are known by names such as Belgian, German, Russian, and Visconti. Plaque': a point attack that lands flat. Plastron: a partial jacket worn for extra protection; typically a half-jacket worn under the main jacket on the weapon-arm side of the body. Point: a valid touch; the tip of the sword; the mechanical assembly that makes up the point of an electric weapon; an attack made with the point (ie. a thrust) Point in Line: also line; an extended arm and blade that threatens the opponent. Pommel: a fastener that attaches the grip to the blade.

Preparation: a non-threatening action intended to create the opening for an attack; the initial phase of an attack, before right-of-way is established. Presentation: offering one's blade for engagement by the opponent. Press: an attempt to push the opponent's blade aside or out of line; depending on the opponent's response, the press is followed by a direct or indirect attack. Prime: parry #1; blade down and to the inside, wrist pronated. Principle of Defence: the use of forte against foible when parrying. Priority: right-of-way; in sabre, the now-superceded rules that decide which fencer will be awarded the touch in the event that they both attack simultaneously. Prise de Fer: also taking the blade; an engagement of the blades that forces the opponent's weapon into a new line. See: bind, croise, envelopment, opposition. Quarte: parry #4; blade up and to the inside, wrist supinated. Quinte: parry #5; blade up and to the inside, wrist pronated. In sabre, the blade is held above the head to protect from head cuts.

Rapier: a long, double-edged thrusting sword popular in the 16th-17th centuries. Red Card: used to indicate repeated minor rule infractions or a major rule infraction by one of the fencers; results in a point being given to the other fencer. Redoublement: a new action that follows an attack that missed or was parried; renewal of a failed attack in a different line. Referee: also director, president; the mediator of the fencing bout. Remise: immediate replacement of an attack that missed or was parried, without withdrawing the arm. Reprise: renewal of an attack that missed or was parried, after a return to en-garde. Retreat: step back; opposite of advance. Ricasso: the portion of the tang between the grip and the blade, present on Italian hilts and most rapiers. Right-of-way: rules for awarding the point in the event of a double touch in foil or sabre. Riposte: an offensive action made immediately after a parry of the opponent's attack.

Sabre: a fencing weapon with a flat blade and knuckle guard, used with cutting or thrusting actions; a military sword popular in the 18th to 20th centuries; any cutting sword used by cavalry. Salle: a fencing hall or club. Salute: with the weapon, a customary acknowledgement of one's opponent and referee at the start and end of the bout. Schlager: German fraternity duelling sword with 3.5' blade and 10" guard. Second Intention: a false action used to draw a response from the opponent, which will open the opportunity for the intended action that follows, typically a counter-riposte. Seconde: parry #2; blade down and to the outside, wrist pronated. Septime: parry #7; blade down and to the inside, wrist supinated. Simple: executed in one movement; an attack or riposte that involves no feints. Simultaneous: in foil and sabre, two attacks for which the right-of-way is too close to determine. Single Stick: an archaic form of fencing with basket-hilted wooden sticks.

Single-time: also "stesso tempo"; parry-riposte as a single action. Sixte: parry #6; blade up and to the outside, wrist supinated. Small Sword: a light duelling sword popular in the 17th-19th centuries, precursor to the foil. Stop Hit: a counter-attack that hits; also a counter-attack whose touch is valid by virtue of it's timing. Stop Cut: a stop-hit with the edge in sabre, typically to the cuff. Three Prong: a type of electrical connector used in fencing. Thrown Point: a "flick". Thrust: an attack made by moving the sword parallel to its length and landing with the point. Tierce: parry #3; blade up and to the outside, wrist pronated. Time Hit: also time-thrust; old name for stop hit with opposition. Trompement: deception of the parry. Two Prong: a type of body-wire/connector, used in foil and sabre. Whip-over: in sabre, a touch that results from the foible of the blade whipping over the opponent's guard or blade when parried. Whites: fencing clothing.

Yellow Card: also advertissement, warning; used to indicate a minor rule infraction by one of the fencers.

Question: Balestra, Derobement and Florentine are terms used in which sport?
Answer: Fencing